Dutch Antilles Express Airlines?

We're planning a trip to Bonaire this winter, with the trip originating out of Miami. It looks like a good connection is AA from Miami to Curacao and then a 15 minute hop from Curacao to Bonaire with Dutch Antilles Express. It looks like they fly decent planes, has anyone ever used them? It would be about half the airfare of our connecting to Delta's flight out of Atlanta.

Thanks for any suggestions.

Fletcher

Flew with them this past february. The airline is fine. The airport kind of sucks, at least it did for me. Keep in mind when you are checking in that they go by DAE rather than Dutch Antilles Express, so don't go looking for the longer name when trying to find your line.

And... when going through their security, their are separate lines for men and women. You have to pay your tax BEFORE standing in line. The "sign" at the top of the escalator points the wrong way, or at least it did when we were there. Make a right at the top of the stairs to pay departure tax; make sure you tell them you are just passing through on way to Bonaire so they know you did not stay on Curacao. Do that both ways. If you go "straight" to the line, you'll just be told to exit the line to pay the tax.

Thanks, that's good news. How were they on baggage? We've both got dive bags plus my bag for the housing, then the cameras plus lenses are carry-ons. Did everything come on the same plane with you?

Thanks,

Fletcher

I know we were over the 50 pound limit and had to pay some extra charges. Did not have an slr at the time so don't really recall the overhead situation. Sorry.

What I wanted to hear! I am not so concerned about baggage excess charges as having the gear in the same plane with you!

The connections to Bonaire from the US are surprisingly lame ( at least coming from the Florida Keys), so this connection ( AA from MIA-Curacao, then DAE Curacao-Bonaire) looks like the best bet. We don't go on our trip until next January, but I'll find this thread afterwards and update it.

Thanks again,

Fletcher